SELECTION OF SIRES. 1 7 



The payments by result might include : 



(i.) A bounty on each lamb at weaning time. 

 (2.) A bonus if he does not lose more than 2 or 3 per cent, of 

 ewes in lambing, or 4 per cent, in the year. 



(3.) A percentage on the amount realised in sales during each 

 year. 



SELECTION OF SIRES. 



Having obtained the ewes on the lines laid down, it would be 

 well to look carefully through the whole flock and endeavour to 

 find out the weak points, as undoubtedly they will be present, 

 however careful the selection has been. In choosing a ram, care 

 should be taken to secure one that is strong in the points where 

 the ewes are weak, but the breeder must not overlook the fact 

 that it is absolutely imperative to secure an animal with a 

 vigorous robust constitution, good chest development, well sprung 

 ribs, wide loin, straight spine, good underline, strong bone with 

 legs well placed at each corner, or as near to this ideal as possible- 

 In no case let fashion lead the breeder to forget that the ultimate 

 object in breeding sheep is to produce mutton and wool at a 

 minimum of cost that will sell readily at top prices. Experience 

 has proved that where this course is followed, the weak points of 

 the dams are usually much less marked in their offspring, and, if 

 it is persevered in, are in time often entirely. got rid of. As the 

 object is first to get a thoroughly good ewe flock the sires should 

 be chosen with that view, and therefore a very masculine ram is 

 not so necessary, if possessing good character and type, with 

 plenty of size and length, but of course it is absolutely essential 

 that the ram should possess all the true characteristics of its breed 

 and be practically unassailable, except perhaps for a slight 

 inclination to feminine character about its head. By the use of 

 this type of ram for a few years a first-class flock of ewes should 

 be the outcome, and then none but the highest-class rams 

 possessing strong masculine character should be used. It is not 

 so necessary to obtain size in the sire, provided the animal is 

 masculine, and big, so to speak, in his points. Many really small 

 rams have proved themselves remarkable getters both as to 



